Endorsements
Praise From The Field
“The rigor of studying music – sight reading, theory, key transposition and composition is fully aligned with what we expect in terms of academic achievement, critical thinking and the synthesis of multiple complex ideas. MNS can help transform our educational thinking and enhance the educational lives of our students.” – Donn K. Harris, Executive Director, Oakland School of the Arts
"MusicianCorps is a plan with a beat, just on time for school principals trying desperately to provide quality educational opportunities within fragile budgetary constraints.” – David Roche, Director, Office of Arts Ed., Chicago Public Schools
“I was instantly excited by MNS. I know of no other organization that exists solely for the purpose of supporting music as a social, educational and civic strategy on a national and global scale.” – Hollis Headrick, Arts, Ed., and Philanthropy Consultant
“MusicianCorps is indeed exciting and it's also a brilliant idea. I would be happy to explore the opportunities for DOE participation in this initiative.” – Barbara Murray, Dir. of Music, New York City Department of Ed., Office of The Arts and Special Projects
"MusicianCorps is an innovative way to help us reach all of our public school children in Philadelphia, not just a few, with quality music education." – Virginia Lam, Lead Music Educator, Philadelphia School
Love Letters
I'm an artist and have taught art in a variety of media for many years. I remember reading the Obama policy packet for the first time just before I joined the committee. Right away, I thought the artist corps was the most innovative and intriguing part of his plan. I'd love to help you with the development of MusicianCorps. I can spread the word and offer visual arts advice. Music and art go well together!
Shawnee B.
I'm a sophomore at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and music is my soul. I recently looked into AmeriCorps and I heard NPR's profile of MusicianCorps and I'm absolutely thrilled at the possibilities of a national music project. My mother has been a music/choral teacher for over 20 years in public schools and our church's Minister of Music for 15 years in Milwaukee. My father paid for his college education by playing in 3 disco bands in the 80s in bars across Wisconsin. I grew up in a house of music. I am willing to help in ANY way possible. I might not graduate for a few more years, but if you need collegiate ambassadors, I have dozens of friends who would have boundless energy and time for a project like this.
David W.
I was very intrigued to find out about MNS and the new MusicianCorps program. I am a business school professor (as well as a pro bassoonist), and my academic research focuses on understanding the psychological side of musicians' careers--and particularly the sense of calling that they may experience toward being involved in music. A new question I am beginning to investigate is the relationship between musicians' outreach/community involvement and the sustenance of their sense of calling for doing music over time. I am very curious to learn more about how your program will address musicians' psychological needs in their careers (in addition to addressing what impact their work may have the communities in which they're teaching) and I would be happy to discuss the work I've been doing over the last many years.
Shasa D.
I have a lot of experience building grassroots collective music projects with inner city youth. I coordinated a grass roots project for youth for social change. A major part of that project was music. I've seen youth transform into positive champions of justice, and become empowered agents of social change. I feel in my heart that I want to be a part of this movement. I would love to talk more about this with someone. I am interested to moving to wherever MNS is going to try this. I would be happy to serve in the most challenging of school, with the most challenged youth. I want to work with them. Those youth can change the world and music can serve as a means to nurture the potential they possess. With warm love,
Carlos S.
I recently graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown CT, majoring in Ethnomusicology and Music; and was thrilled about the possibility of MusicianCorps. Having studied and played music from around the world, analyzing its effects on and place within the respective cultures it influences, evolves from, and inhabits, I have become passionate about the simple power music has in helping create change. Since graduating in May, I have been working in educational non-profits and have been eager to have the opportunity to couple my awareness of and concern for the inequities inherent to this country’s education system with my knowledge of and belief in the power of music to break down the barriers that social inequalities have created. I would love to contribute to this developing project. I have a background in music and ethnomusicology, have experience working in an educational non-profit, and have also worked in the music industry. Please contact me if there is anything I can do to help.
Alaia Z.
I am a graduating senior from the University of California at Santa Barbara's College of Creative Studies with a degree in Music Composition. I am a composer and am extremely interested in finding a job next year using my skills as a composer and musician to teach music. Specifically, I am most passionate about having the chance to help veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and would be very grateful for any opportunity to work with veterans by teaching music or engaging in some sort of music therapy. I have a good deal of experience volunteering in the community and am passionate about attempting to heal the thousands of veterans who are presently so mistreated and devalued by our society. Essentially, I am very excited about the prospect of joining a "musician corps". Please let me know if I can be of any help.
Emil M.
I am working on my M.A. at Sonoma State in interdisciplinary studies, specifically eco-psychology and the social psychology of the musician in an ensemble as it relates to environmental education. I argue that Music Education can symbolically teach students about critical ecological principles that will help us all to adapt in this time of ecological crisis. I will be doing a project in lieu of a thesis, and I would love to get involved with this initiative to bring music to at-risk youth. I live in Sonoma County and could work here or in the greater bay area.
Christina P.
